CA1107848A - Electronic control system for an individual section glassware forming machine - Google Patents
Electronic control system for an individual section glassware forming machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA1107848A CA1107848A CA317,402A CA317402A CA1107848A CA 1107848 A CA1107848 A CA 1107848A CA 317402 A CA317402 A CA 317402A CA 1107848 A CA1107848 A CA 1107848A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- section
- control
- control means
- timing data
- machine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
- C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
- C03B9/00—Blowing glass; Production of hollow glass articles
- C03B9/30—Details of blowing glass; Use of materials for the moulds
- C03B9/40—Gearing or controlling mechanisms specially adapted for glass-blowing machines
- C03B9/41—Electric or electronic systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
- G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
- G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
- G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
- G05B19/0428—Safety, monitoring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/22—Pc multi processor system
- G05B2219/2214—Multicontrollers, multimicrocomputers, multiprocessing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
- G05B2219/20—Pc systems
- G05B2219/25—Pc structure of the system
- G05B2219/25381—Restart program at predetermined position, crash recovery after power loss
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P40/00—Technologies relating to the processing of minerals
- Y02P40/50—Glass production, e.g. reusing waste heat during processing or shaping
- Y02P40/57—Improving the yield, e-g- reduction of reject rates
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S65/00—Glass manufacturing
- Y10S65/13—Computer control
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Control By Computers (AREA)
- Programmable Controllers (AREA)
- Control Of Multiple Motors (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- General Factory Administration (AREA)
- Re-Forming, After-Treatment, Cutting And Transporting Of Glass Products (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A control system for a glassware forming machine which has a plurality of individual machine sections each capable of individually forming glassware articles. The control system includes a machine supervisory computer connected to a separate section computer for each of the individual sections and to a data store device. The machine supervisory computer loads each section computer with a control program and timing data from the storage device for forming a specific article of glass-ware. As the individual sections form the glassware under the control of the section computers, the machine operator can change any of the eiming data for each individual section. The machine supervisory computer obtains the current timing data from each of the section computers at predetermined intervals and sends it to the storage device. Thus, in the case of a power failure, for example, the current timing data is available and can be loaded into the section computer to resume operation.
A control system for a glassware forming machine which has a plurality of individual machine sections each capable of individually forming glassware articles. The control system includes a machine supervisory computer connected to a separate section computer for each of the individual sections and to a data store device. The machine supervisory computer loads each section computer with a control program and timing data from the storage device for forming a specific article of glass-ware. As the individual sections form the glassware under the control of the section computers, the machine operator can change any of the eiming data for each individual section. The machine supervisory computer obtains the current timing data from each of the section computers at predetermined intervals and sends it to the storage device. Thus, in the case of a power failure, for example, the current timing data is available and can be loaded into the section computer to resume operation.
Description
784~
The present invention relates generally to machines for forming glassware articles from gobs of molten glass and in particular to electronically controlled invididual section glassware forming machines.
An individual section or IS glassware forming machine is well known and includes a plurality of sections each having means for forming glassware articles in a timed, predetermined sequence of steps. Typically, the sections are fed from a single source of molten glass which forms gobs of the molten glass, which gobs are distributed to the individual sections in an ordered sequence. The sections are operated in synchronism at a relative phase difference such that one section is receiving a gob while another section is delivering a finished glassware article to a conveyor and one or more other sections are per-forming various ones of the intermediate forming steps.
The forming means in each section are typically opera-ted from pneumatic motors or actuators. In early prior art machines, the pneumatic motors were controlled by a valve block which in turn was controlled by a timing drum for each section driven from a line shaft which synchronized all parts of the machine. One of the limitations of the timing drum was the difficulty of adjusting the timing during the operation of the machine. One solution to this problem was to replace all the timing drums with an electronic control means. The electronic control means included a master unit which was responsive to a clock pulse generator and a reset pulse generator driven by the line shaft. The master unit generated reset signals to an individual control circuit for each of the individual sections to synchronize the operation of the individual circuits. Each individual circuit included a pulse counter responsive to the 7~3~8 clock pulses and the master unit generated reset pulses for counting the degrees of the section cycle. Each individual circuit included forty-eight, three-decade thumbwheel switches for setting the degrees of rotation of the machine thereon.
Thus, each particular function of the glassware forming cycle was controlled by one of the thumbwheel switches. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,762,907.
The previously described electronic control system utilized discrete components in its counter and gating circuitry.
In a later prior art control apparatus, a digital computer with a memory and associated program storage was utilized. Not only did such a control circuit provide a means for automatically changing the timing values of the functions without the manual resetting of thumbwheel switches, but such a circuit also pro-vided a means for programming events, groups of related functions, in accordance with certain boundary event timings. The computer generated control signals through an interface circuit to actuate solenoid controlled valve blocks. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,905,793.
It is an object of the present invention to increase the efficiency and accuracy of individual section glassware forming machines.
It is another object of the present invention to main-tain current timing data for the individual sections of a glass-ware forming machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate the change from job to job for an individual section glassware forming machine.
The present invention provides, in a glassware forming machine having means for forming gobs of molten glass, a plurality 7~3~8 of individual glassware forming sections, means for feeding the gobs of molten glass to the individual sections, glassware forming means in each of the individual sections for forming glassware articles from the gobs of molten glass in a series of predetermined forming steps in response to a plurality of control signals, and control means for generating the control signals, the control means comprising first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and for storing section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section; a plurality of section control means individual to each of the individual sections for genera-ting the control signals to the glassware forming means in ac-cordance with the control program and the section timing data, each of the section control means including a second means for storing the control program and the section timing data;
and a machine supervisory control means connected between the first storage means and each of the section control second storage means for loading the control program and the section timing data into the section control second storage means and for reading the current value of the section timing data from the section control section storage means at predetermined in-tervals and storing the current section timing data in the first storage means.
Preferably, the control means comprises a machine supervisory computer connected to the section control means, which comprise a plurality of individual section computers, one for each of the individual sections of the machine. The machine supervisory computer is also connected to an input/output device and the first storage means, which stores control programs for the machine supervisory computer and both control programs ~ .
and job histories for the individual section computers. The machine supervisory computer loads the second storage means of the individual section computers with the control programs and job histories for forming a particular glassware article.
Each individual section computer then generates the control signals required to actuate the forming means of the associated section. A section operator console is provided at each section to enablethe machine operator to change the timing data for any of the forming functions. The section operator console is connected to the individual section computer which reads the timing change and replaces the corresponding previous timing data. At predetermined intervals, the machine supervisory com-puter reads the current timing data from each of the individual section computers and stores this curren~t data in the first storage means. Thus, the current timing data for each individual section is always available for the next time that job is run or should there be a power failure which destroys the contents of the volatile memory in the individual section computer. In response to the restoration of power after a power failure, the machine supervisory computer automatically reloads the in-dividual section computers with the timing data from the first storage means.
The machine supervisory computer is also connected to a bottle reject control panel and a bottle reject station.
Through the control panel, the machine operator can designate bottles to be rejected by section and mold and number of machine cycles. The machine supervisory computer Lesponds to the con-trol panel generated information to generate control signals to the reject station when the machine reaches the corresponding position in the machine cycle.
78~
The present invention further provides a control sys-tem for a cyclically operated machine having first and second stations each of which are responsive to control signals to operate in regular cycles including like series of predetermined steps and in which corresponding steps for the first and second stations are offset in time with respect to each other compris-ing first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps;
a first and seeond control means individual respectively to eaeh of the first and second stations for generating the control signals for the steps performed by the respective first and seeond stations in aeeordanee with the eontrol program and the timing data, eaeh of the eontrol means ineluding a second means for storing the eontrol program and the timing data; and a maehine supervisory eontrol means connected between the first storage means and each of the second storage means for loading the eontrol program and the timing data into the second storage means.
The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of prior art and embodiments of the invention with referenee to the aecompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art, dedicated, discrete component electronic control system and associated individual seetion glassware forming maehine;
Fig. 2 is a bloek diagram of a prior art computer eontrolled individual seetion glassware forming machine;
Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an individual seetion glassware forming machine and a control system therefor embodying the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the control 7~8 system and one of the individual sections of Fig. 3;
Figs. 5 through lO are simplified flow diagrams which are representative of a portion of the programs run by the master supervisory computer of Fig. 4; and Figs. 11 through 13 are simplified flow diagrams which are representative of a portion of the programs run by the in-dividual section computer of Fig. 4.
There is shown in Fig. l a prior art glassware forming machine and associated electronic control system which is more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 3,762,907. The forming machine includes a plurality of individual sections 11, numbered from one through N, which sections are identical. A mechanical drive 12 is representative of one or more such drives which are utilized to operate means (not shown) for forming molten gobs of glass, distributing the gobs to the individual sections and conveying the formed glassware away from the machine, all at predetermined synchroniz~d rates. The mechanical drive 12 is mechanically coupled to a timing pulse generator 13 which represents a pulse generator for generating one timing pulse for each degree of revolution of the drive shaft of the mechan-ical drive 12 and a reset pulse generator for generating one pulse for each revolution of the drive shaft of the mechanical drive.
The timing pulses and reset pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 13 are applied to a master control unit 14. The master control unit 14 includes a master counter (not shown) for counting the timing pulses to generate a count total representing the rotational position of the machine in the 360 machine cycle. The master control unit also includes a master synchronization circuit which is responsive to the reset pulses ,~
~7t~48 for resetting the master counter after 360 pulses have been counted representing a full cycle of the machine. The digital count total of the master counter is applied to a gating cir-cuit which generates selected count signals to a plurality of section firing order control switches. For example, in a six section machine, the gating board would be preset to generate selected count signals representing 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 to each section firing order control switch. Each section firing order control switch also receives the reset pulse which is generated at 360 and each switch is preset to respond to one of the selected count signals or the reset signal to gen-erate a reset counter signal to an associated individual control unit 15.
Each individual control unit 15 includes a sync board which is responsive to the reset counter signal generated by the associated section firing order control switch for genera-ting a section reset signal. A section counter counts the timing pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 13 and is reset by the section reset signal after every three hundred sixty pulses. The section counter generates a count total rep-resenting the rotational position of the individual section in the machine cycle, all but one of the section counter count totals being offset from the count total of the master counter.
Each individual section includes forty-eight thumbwheel switches which are connected in parallel to the output of the section counter. Each thumbwheel switch generates a gating signal when the section counter count total reaches the number to which that individual switch is set. The gating signal from each thumbwheel switch is applied to a function control board which responds by generating an output signal to actuate a solenoid ~h 78~8 winding for operating an associated valve in a valve block.
Thus, each individual section 11 has a cycle time equal to the cycle time for the machine but the individual section cycle times are equally distributed through the machine cycle. The timing and the order of the functions for each in-dividual section are set on forty-eight thumbwheel switches which are responsive to a count total accumulated by a section counter which is reset at the end of each individual section cycle by the master control unit. The master control unit re-sets the section counters at predetermined intervals to offset the individual section cycles with respect to one another.
There is shown in Fig. 2 a prior art glassware forming machine and associated electronic control system which is more fully explained in U.S. Patent No. 4,007,028. The forming machine includes a plurality of individual sections 16, numbered from one to N, which sections are identical. A mechanical drive 17 is representative of one or more such drives which are utilized to operate means (not shown) for forming gobs of molten glass, distributing the gobs to the individual sections and conveying the formed glassware away from the machine all at predetermined, synchronized rates. The mechanical drive 17 is mechancially coupled to a position transducer 18 for genera-ting an output signal representing the position of the mechani-cal drive and, therefore, the rotational position of the machine.
For example, the mechanical drive 17 and the position transducer 18 can be associated with the gob forming means or the gob dis-tributor (neither shown).
A computer 19 is programmed to generate control signals through an interface 21 to the individual sections to actuate solenoid operated valves in valve blocks (not shown). The com-,, 78~1~
puter 19 stores a program which determines the timing and theorder of performing the various functions in each individual section. The computer then compares the position transducer signals with the position value for the next function to be performed in the order for generating the proper control signal.
An operator control panel (not shown) is provided for displaying the values of each of the functions for each of the individual sections. The control panel also has switch means for changing any of the function values to a new value when desired.
Both of the prior art control systems described above utilize a master control or computer to determine the timing of the individual sections and the offset between the sections.
In Fig. 3, there is shown a block diagram of an individual section glassware forming machine and control therefor embodying the present invention. A machine supervisory computer 22 receives a train of timing pulses from a timing pulse generator 23 to establish the timing for the machine cycle.
The machine supervisory computer 22 is connected to a plurality of individual section computers 24, one through N, each of which is connected to an associated one of a plurality of individual sections 25, one through N, of the glassware form-ing machine. Initially, the machine supervisory computer 22 loads each individual section computer 24 with a control program and timing data for controlling the associated individual section. Thereafter, each individual section computer 24 gen-erates control signals in response to the control program and timing pulses from the timing pulse generator 23 to a value block (no-t shown) in the associated individual section 25 to control the glassware forming cycle. The machine supervisory computer 22 periodically receives current timing data from each ,i D7~
of the individual section computers 24 which data can be stored for use the next time that particular type of glassware is to be formed or in the event that one of the individual sections is shut down for any reason.
Fig. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the control system and one of the individual sections of Fig. 3. The timing pulse generator 23 generates a train of timing pulses to the machine supervisory computer (MSC) 22 and the individual section computer (ISC) 24. An input/output device 26 and a data storage device 27 are both connected to the machine supervisory computer 22 by a pair of bidirectional lines. The machine supervisory computer 22 and the individual section computer 24 typically can be LSI-ll computers, the input/output device 26 typically can be a LA36 DECwriter teleprinter and the data storage device typically can be a RXVll Floppy Disk Drive, all manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.
The timing pulse generator 23 generates a clock signal to the MSC 22 and the ISC 24 which signal provides a reference for timing the machine cycle and the sequence of steps to be performed by the ISC. Typically, machine timing is expressed in degrees and a machine cycle is 360 in length. Thus 360 clock pulses or some multiple thereof comprise one machine cycle.
The cycle for each individual section is also 360 but the cycles for all of the sections can be offset from the start of the machine cycle by a different number of degrees to compensate for the difference in gob delivery time to each section. The timing pulse generator also generates a reset signal after 360 of clock pulses which reset signal is utilized by the MSC and the ISC to define the end and beginning of successive machine cycles.
The MSC 22 is used to load the cuntrol programs and timing data into the ISC 24 from the data storage device 27.
An operator uses the I/O device 26 to select the particular timing data which is to be loaded into the ISC. It should be noted that each ISC has a separate set of timing data for the particular individual section which it controls.
The ISC 24 generates control signals to a valve block 28 through a section operator console discussed below. The valve block is connected to a plurality of glassware forming mechanisms 29 for actuating the forming mechanisms in a predeter-mined timed sequence of steps to form the articles of glassware.
The valves in the valve block 28 are actuated by solenoids (not shown) which are controlled by signals generated by the ISC
24 in accordance with the control programs and timing data which are currently stored in the ISC. The valve block 28 and the glassware forming mechanisms 29 together comprise the individual section 25.
There is also shown in Fig. 4 a blank sensor 31 which generates a signal upon the detection of a gob at the mold in an individual section. The blank sensor 31 includes a blank detector circuit (not shown) for generating the signal to the ISC 24 which signal is utilized to adjust the timing of that individual section to the presence of the gob rather than to a position related distribution time as was done in the prior art.
A section operator console (SOC) 32 is connected to the ISC 24 and the valve block 28 and is used by the operator to make adjustments to the mechanism timing. The actuation of a particular valve may be either advanced or retarded by the operator with the use of the SoC 32. The SOC 32 may also ~1~7~8 be used to vary the section offset value and the reject syn-chronization value as will be discussed. The SOC 32 can be provided with a display (not shown) which enables the operator to check the current timing value for a particular machine function.
The SOC 32 is also used to control the operating con-ditlon of the individual section. When the individual section is on, it is designated to be in the "run" condition and, when the section is off, it is designated to be in the "safe" con-dition. If the section is in the safe condition, the operatorcan switch to a manual mode wherein the solenoids of the valve block 28 can be individually controlled by a plurality of switches (not shown) which are provided in the SOC 32.
Although the SOC 32 is provided with start and stop controls, the SOC 32 is located on one side of the machine and is only easily accessible to the operator when the operator is on that side. A remote start and stop station 33 is provided and is typically mounted on the side opposite the corresponding SOC. Thus, the start and stop controls are easily accessible to the operator from both sides of the machine.
A bottle reject control panel 34 includes a plurality of switches (not shown) each of which corresponds to a particu-lar cavity of the mold in each individual section. If an opera-tor desires to reject a particular article of glassware, he actuates the corresponding switch on the panel 34. The MSC
22 periodically scans the panel 34 to see if any switches have been actuated. When the MSC 22 senses an actuated switch, the MSC will compare the reject synchronization value corresponding to the section of the rejected glassware with the current machine position. If these two values are equal, a reject control signal 3L~`r~7~8 will be supplied to a bottle reject station 35 such that the appropriate bottle(s) will be rejected.
As was previously discussed with respect to the valve timing, the operator can utilize the SOC 32 to adjust the reject synchronization value for the individual section such that a glassware article from a selected cavity of the mold is rejected when it arrives at the reject station 35-. The reject synchroni-zation value is stored in the ISC as a position in the machine cycle. At a predetermined interval, typically every one minute, the MSC reads the reject synchronization values from the ISC's and stores them. Each time there is a one degree change in machine position, the MSC compares the new machine position with the reject synchronization values and generates the reject signal when they correspond.
Communications between the ISC 24 and the MSC 22 and between the MSC 22 and the I/O device 25 can be achieved utili-zing model DLVll serial input/output interface boards (not shown).
Input and output control for the ISC 24 to the SOC 32 and the valve block 28 and for the MSC 22 to the control panel 34 and the reject station 35 can be provided by utilizing model DRVll parallel input/output interface boards (not shown). If a floppy disk drive is used as the data storage device 27, an RXVll floppy drive controller (not shown) can be used to control data trans-fers between the MSC and the floppy disk drive. The DLVll, DRVll and RXVll are all manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.
As previously mentioned, the machine supervisory com-puter 22 and the individual section computer 24 can be LSI-11 computers. This particular type of computer features hard-ware interrupts. As will be discussed, other features of this ,,.~,~
~71~413 computer are an automatic power failure restart and user con-trol of external task scheduling.
There are shown in Figs. 5 through 9 simplified flow diagrams of programs utilized in the operation of the machine supervisory computer (MSC) 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the MSC
is connected to an input/output device 26 which can be a tele-printer having a keyboard input and a printer output and to a data storage device 27 which can be floppy disk drive. The storage device stores on floppy disks both system data, such as control programs, and job histories which include the timing data for forming each type of glassware article. The MSC 22 can be loaded with various "keyboard" programs from the data storage device 27 which programs allow the machine operator to install, change, list or delete a job history in the storage device or to list a directory of all job histories stored or to transfer a job history(s) from one floppy disk to another;
to set up the machine parameters for a new job; to load a job history into the ISC's from the storage device; to save an active job history ~y loading it from an ISC into the storage device;
to reload an ISC with a control program and timing data from any other ISC or with a test pattern; to display cavity rate and machine speed; and to display or change the number of cycles in which glassware articles are rejected.
The main program for the MSC 22 is shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 5. The program is initiated at a circle "START"
and immediately enters a decision point "KEYBOARD PROGRAM RE-QUEST" to check for any request to run a keyboard program that may have been entered by the machine operator. If there is such a request, the program branches at "YES" to a processing point. The processing point "EXECUTE REQUESTED KEYBOARD PROGRAM"
,~,, ~7848 represents a set of instructions directing the MSC to execute the requested program. The program then returns to the beginning of the main program. If there is no keyboard program request, the main program branches from the decision point at "NO" and returns to the beginning of the program. It should be noted that all of the keyboard programs run on the lowest priority and can be interrupted by any of the programs which are shown in Eigs. 6 through 10.
In addition to the keyboard programs initiated with the input/output device 26, the MSC 22 is also responsible for running other programs all of which have a higher priority than the keyboard programs. A clock interrupt program has the high-est priority and is shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 6. A
clock interrupt is generated each time a timing pulse is received by the MSC 22 from the timing pulse generator 23. If the MSC
is running a keyboard program when the clock interrupt is gen-erated, the keyboard program is interrupted and the clock in-terrupt is serviced before returning to the keyboard program.
The clock interrupt program is initiated at a circle labeled "CLOCK INTERRUPT" and then enters a processing point "INCREMENT
MACHINE POSITION COUNT" to update a count total representing the position of the machine in the machine cycle. Next, the program enters a processing point "CHECK STATUS OF REJECT CONTROL
SWITCHES BY SECTION" which includes instructions for checking the status of the reject control switches on the reject control panel 34 of Fig. 4 by section. The program enters a decision point "ANY REJECT SWITCHES" to determine if any bottles have been designated for rejection. If any of the reject control switches are actuated, the program branches at "YES" to a decision point "MACHINE = REJECT" wherein the MSC 22 compares ~i~
7~8 the current machine position count total with the reject syn-chronization value for each individua:L section. If they are equal, the program branches at "YES" to a processing point "RE-JECT DESIGNATED BOTTLE(S)" which includes instructions for gen-erating a reject signal to the bottle reject station 35 of Fig.
4 such that the designated bottle will be rejected. The clock interrupt program then returns to the main program at the point the main program was interrupted as is the case when the program branches at "NO" from the "ANY REJECT SWITCHES" decision point when no switches are actuated or when the program branches at "NO" from the "MACHINE = REJECT" decision point when the machine position count total is not equal to the reject synthronization value.
A reset interrupt program has the second highest priority and is shown in Fig. 7. Each time a reset pulse is generated by the timing pulse generator 23, the reset program is initiated at a circle "RESET INTERRUPT". The program enters a processing function "RESET MACHINE POSITION COUNT TOTAL TO
359" which includes instructions for resetting the machine posi-tion counter count total at the end of each machine cycle. Thereset interrupt program then returns to the main program at the point it was interrupted. The next timing pulse will then set the counter to zero and 359 more timing pulses are counted to complete the machine cycle. As the counter accumulates the last timing pulse, the reset pulse is again generated to correct any error which may have occurred in the machine position count total.
As was previously discussed, the operator can change the section timing data utilizing the SOC 32. Approximately every five minutes, the MSC 22 executes a store program shown ~78~8 in Fig. 8 to update the current section timing data for each individual section which is stored on a floppy disk in the data storage device 27. Thus, if the operator has changed the timing data for a section by advancing or retarding the actuation of a valve, that timing change will be stored in the data storage device 27 within no more than five minutes. The LSI-ll computer is provided with a control over external task scheduling. For example, the operator can schedule a program to run at an ab-solute time of the day, a delta time from a clock unit syn-chronization or every so many units of time, such as five min-utes. Thus, every five minutes, the store program is initiated at a circle "DATA UPDATE INTERRUPT" and enters a processing function "OBTAIN TIMING DATA FROM ISC AND PLACE IN DATA STORAGE
DEVICE". After the current timing data has been stored, the program returns to the main program.
There is shown in Fig. 9 a reject program that is executed by the MSC approximately every one minute to update the reject synchronization values. Thus, if the operator has changed any of these values to achieve a more accurate reject, the change will be stored by the MSC within no more than one minute. The reject program is initiated at a circle "REJECT
UPDATE INTERRUPT" and enters a processing function "OBTAIN REJECT
SYNCHRONIZATION VALUE FROM ISC AND STQRE" which includes in-structions for reading and storing the current reject synchroni-zation values for each ISC. The reject program then returns to the main program. The stored values are utilized in the comparison with the machine position performed at the decision point "MACHINE = REJECT" of Fig. 6.
If a power failure occurs, the volatile register con-tents of the MSC and the ISCs will be lost. There is shown in 1~7~48 Fig. 10 a flow diagram which indicates the steps taken by theMSC after a power failure recovery. If the MSC is a LSI-ll, it can be programmed to execute a restart program which is initiated at a circle "START". Next a process function "RESTORE
CONTROL PROGRAM AND JOB HISTORY TO EACH ISC" restores the ISC
memory with the control programs and timing data with which they were loaded before the power failure. There the restart program returns to the main program.
There are shown in Figs. 11 through 13 flow diagrams which are representative of the operation of an ISC. The main program is shown in Fig. 11. After the ISC memory has been restored by the MSC, the ISC performs several control program initialization tasks such as setting the machine position counter to 359.
The main program is initiated at a circle "START"
and enters a processing function "DISABLE INTERRUPTS AND PERFORM
INITIALIZATION TASKS". Next, the program enters a processing function "CHECK SOC FOR TIMING CHANGES AND STORE ANY NEW VALUES"
which includes instructions for checking the SOC 32 to determine if the operator has requested a change in the timing data, the section offset value or the reject synchronization value. Any requested changes are stored in the ISC memory to be sent through the MSC to the data storage device when the store program of Fig. 8 is executed by the MSC.
Next, the ISC main program enters a processing function ;
"ENABLE INTERRUPTS" which includes instructions to enable the ISC to respond to the timing and reset pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 23. The program then enters a decision point "COMMUNICATION REQUEST BY MSC". If the MSC has requested to either transmit data to or receive data from the ISC, the 3L iL~7~a~8 program branches at "YES" to a processing function "TRANSMIT
OR RECEIVE DATA" which includes the required instructions for communication between the MSC and the ISC. The program then returns to the processing function "CHECK 'OC FOR TIMING CHANGES
AND STORE ANY NEW VALUES" and continues to loop. If the MSC
has not requested communication, the program branches from the deeision point "COMMUNICATION REQUEST BY MSC" at "NO" to return to the proeessing funetion "CHECK SOC ...".
There is shown in Fig. 12 a flow diagram of the eloek interrupt program for the ISC. Eaeh time a timing pulse is reeeived from the timing pulse generator 23 and the main program has enabled the eloek and reset interrupts, the ISC initiates a cloek interrupt sinee the eloek interrupt program has a higher priority. The eloek interrupt program is initiated at a circle "CLOCK INTERRUPT" and enters a deeision point "IGNORE INTERRUPT"
whieh eheeks for a direetion to ignore the clock lnterrupt.
As will be diseussed below, a late oceurring reset pulse will require that at least one eloek interrupt be ignored sueh that the program branehes at "YES" and returns to the main program.
If the eloek interrupt is not to be ignored, the program branehes at "NO" and enters a proeessing function "INCREMENT MACHINE
POSITION COUNT" whieh ineludes instruetions for updating a eount total representing the position of the maehine in the machine eyele. As discussed above, this eount total is eonveniently zero to 359 representing 360 degrees in a maehine eycle. This eorresponds to one rotation of the prior art timing drum which utilized eams to operate the valves whieh aetuated the glassware forming means, the position of the eams being defined in degrees.
Next, the program enters a proeessing function "SUBTRACT SECTION
OFFSET" whieh includes instructions for subtracting the seetion 7~8 offset value, if any, from the machine position count total to obtain a count total representingthe instantaneous position of the individual section in the machine cycle which count total is stored.
Next, the program enters a processing function "CHECK
SOC STATUS CHANGE SWITCHES" which includes instructions for checking the status of the start and stop switches on the SOC
32 and the remote panel 33 to determine if the operator has requested a change in the status of the machine. The program enters a decision point "RUN" to check if the section is in the run condition forming glassware articles. If the section is not running, the program branches at "NO" to a decision point "START ACTUATED" to check whether either of the start switches has been actuated as determined by the "CHECK SOC STATUS CHANGE
SWITCHES" processing function. If neither start swi'tch has been actuated, the clock interrupt program branches at "NO"
to a decision point "REPEAT CLOCK INTERRUPT". As will be dis-cussed below, an early occurring reset pulse will require at least one extra clock interrupt such that the program branches at "YES" back to the "INCREMENT MACHINE POSITION COUNT" proces-sing function. If the clock interrupt is not to be repeated, the program branches at "NO" to return to the main program to await the next timing pulse. If either start switch has been actuated, the program branches at "YES" back to the "START"
circle of the main program to start the section.
If the section is running, the program branches from "RUN" at "YES" to a decision point "STOP ACTUATED" to check whether either of the stop switches has been actuated as deter-mined by the "CHECK SOC STATUS CHANGE SWITCHES" processing function. If either stop switch has been actuated, the program ~ . ~
7~
branches at "YES" to a processing function "STOP SECTION" which includes instructions for stopping the operation of the section.
The clock interrupt program then enters the "REPEAT CLOCK IN-TERRUPT" decision point. If neither stop switch has been actua-ted, the program branches at "NO" to a processing function "OBTAIN DEGREE VALUE OF NEXT FUNCTION FROM TABLE" which includes instructions for looking up the degree value of the next glass-ware forming function to be performed in a table wherein the forming functions are listed in the order they are to be per-formed in the forming cycle. The program then enters a decisionpoint "POSITION = DEGREE" wherein the instantaneous position count total for the section is compared with the degree value of the next function to be performed. If the values are not equal, the program branches at "NO" to enter the "REPEAT CLOCK
INTERRUPT" decision point. If the values are equal, the program branches at "YES" and enters a processing function "PERFORM
FUNCTION" which includes instructions for generating a control signal to the solenoid for actuating the proper valve in the valve block 28. Next, the program enters a processing function "POINT TO NEXT FUNCTION IN TABLE" which includes instructions for shifting to the next function listed in the table such that the degree value for this function is obtained as the program returns to the "OBTAIN DEGREE VALUE OF NEXT FUNCTION FROM TABLE"
processing function. Thus, the program will perform all functions having the same degree value before returning to the main program.
A reset interrupt program is shown in Fig. 13. Each time the timing pulse generator 23 generates a reset pulse and the main program has enabled the clock and reset interrupts, the ISC initiates a reset interrupt program which is initiated ~)78~-8 at a circle "RESET INTERRUPT". The program then enters a pro-cessing function "AUTOSYNCHRONIZATION" which includes in-structions for checking to see if the reset pulse occurred between 359 and 0 of the section cycle and, if it did so occur, no further action is required. If the reset pulse occurred within a range, for example, 357 through 2, instructions are executed to modify the count of the clock pulses. If the reset pul,se was early, on the next clock interrupt the clock interrupt program is cycled as many times as are required to increment the clock pulse count total to place the section in synchroniza-tion. If the reset pulse was late, the clock interrupt is ig-nored as many times as are required to maintain the clock pulse count total to place the section in synchronization. In any of these instances, the reset interrupt program then returns to the main program. If the reset pulse occurs outside of the ' range, an emergency stop is initiated. The reset interrupt ~ is lower than the clock interrupt in priority.
- There is also a line frequency interrupt program which is similar to the reset interrupt program of Fig. 13. An inter-rupt is generated by each cycle of the alternating current power source for the ISC. Every predetermined number of cycles, the line frequency interrupt program checks the clock pulse count total to determine whether it has been incremented since the last such check. If the clock pulse count total has not been incremented for a predetermined number of the checks, an emer-gency stop is initiated.
In summary, the above-described apparatus concerns a glassware forming machine having means for forming gobs of molten glass, a plurality of individual glassware forming sections, means for feeding the gobs of molten glass to the r~
78a~8 individual sections, glassware forming means in each of the individual sections for forming glassware articles from the gobs of molten glass in a series of predetermined forming steps in response to a plurality of control signals and control means for generating the control signals. The control means includes a means, such as a floppy disk, for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section;
a plurality of section control means, such as LSI-ll digital computers, individual to each of the individual sections for generating the control signals to the glassware forming means , in accordance with the control program and the timing data;
and a machine supervisory control means, such as a LSI-ll digital computer, connected between the storage means and each of the section control means for loading the control program and the section timing data into the section control means and for read-ing the current value of the section timing data from the section control means at predetermined intervals and storing the current section timing data in the storage means.
- 20 The glassware forming machine also includes a means for generating a train of timing pulses at a frequency propor-tional to the rate of forming the glassware such that a predeter-mined number of the timing pulses represents a glassware forming cycle of the machine. Each of the section control means is responsive to the timing pulse train for accumulating a count total of the timing pulses representing the instantaneous posi-tion of the individual section in the machine cycle, the section control means comparing the timing pulse count total with the timing data for the next forming step in the series and genera-ting one of the plurality of control signals when the timing 7~348 pulse count total and the timing data match. The glassware forming cycles of the individual sections are offset from one another. Each of the section control means subtracts a differ-ent predetermined offset count from the timing pulse count total to obtain the count representing the instantaneous position of the individual section in the machine cycle, the section control means comparing the instantaneous position count with the timing data of the next forming step in the series.
The disclosed apparatus also concerns a control system for a cyclically operated machine having at least first and second stations each of which are responsive to control signals to operate in regular cycles including like series of predeter-mined steps and in which corresponding steps for the first and second stations are offset in time with respect to each other.
The control means includes a means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps, a first and second control means individual respectively to each of the first and second stations for genera-ting the control signals for the steps performed by the res-pective first and second stations in accordance with the controlprogram and the timing data and a machine supervisory control means connected between the storage means and each of the first and second control means for loading the control program and the timing data into the first and second control means.
The storage means can be the data storage device 27 which has a pair of floppy disks. The system floppy disk stores programs for the machine supervisory control means or computer 22, the control program for the first and second control means or individual section computers and the current value of the timing data which is updated every five minutes. The job history ~ ., 7~48 floppy disk has stored on it the timing data for a plurality of jobs. A predetermined call out means or clocking means in the machine supervisory control means initiates the store pro-gram of Fig. 8 such that the current value of the timing data is read from the first and second control means and is loaded into the volatile memory of the machine supervisory control means as well as the system floppy disk. The current value f the timing data can also be loaded into the job history floppy disk to replace the timing data which was stored and was loaded into the first and second control means initially in response to a save signal which initiates a machine supervisory control means keyboard program.
The principle and mode of operation of the invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment.
However, it must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
.,
The present invention relates generally to machines for forming glassware articles from gobs of molten glass and in particular to electronically controlled invididual section glassware forming machines.
An individual section or IS glassware forming machine is well known and includes a plurality of sections each having means for forming glassware articles in a timed, predetermined sequence of steps. Typically, the sections are fed from a single source of molten glass which forms gobs of the molten glass, which gobs are distributed to the individual sections in an ordered sequence. The sections are operated in synchronism at a relative phase difference such that one section is receiving a gob while another section is delivering a finished glassware article to a conveyor and one or more other sections are per-forming various ones of the intermediate forming steps.
The forming means in each section are typically opera-ted from pneumatic motors or actuators. In early prior art machines, the pneumatic motors were controlled by a valve block which in turn was controlled by a timing drum for each section driven from a line shaft which synchronized all parts of the machine. One of the limitations of the timing drum was the difficulty of adjusting the timing during the operation of the machine. One solution to this problem was to replace all the timing drums with an electronic control means. The electronic control means included a master unit which was responsive to a clock pulse generator and a reset pulse generator driven by the line shaft. The master unit generated reset signals to an individual control circuit for each of the individual sections to synchronize the operation of the individual circuits. Each individual circuit included a pulse counter responsive to the 7~3~8 clock pulses and the master unit generated reset pulses for counting the degrees of the section cycle. Each individual circuit included forty-eight, three-decade thumbwheel switches for setting the degrees of rotation of the machine thereon.
Thus, each particular function of the glassware forming cycle was controlled by one of the thumbwheel switches. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,762,907.
The previously described electronic control system utilized discrete components in its counter and gating circuitry.
In a later prior art control apparatus, a digital computer with a memory and associated program storage was utilized. Not only did such a control circuit provide a means for automatically changing the timing values of the functions without the manual resetting of thumbwheel switches, but such a circuit also pro-vided a means for programming events, groups of related functions, in accordance with certain boundary event timings. The computer generated control signals through an interface circuit to actuate solenoid controlled valve blocks. Such a control system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,905,793.
It is an object of the present invention to increase the efficiency and accuracy of individual section glassware forming machines.
It is another object of the present invention to main-tain current timing data for the individual sections of a glass-ware forming machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate the change from job to job for an individual section glassware forming machine.
The present invention provides, in a glassware forming machine having means for forming gobs of molten glass, a plurality 7~3~8 of individual glassware forming sections, means for feeding the gobs of molten glass to the individual sections, glassware forming means in each of the individual sections for forming glassware articles from the gobs of molten glass in a series of predetermined forming steps in response to a plurality of control signals, and control means for generating the control signals, the control means comprising first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and for storing section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section; a plurality of section control means individual to each of the individual sections for genera-ting the control signals to the glassware forming means in ac-cordance with the control program and the section timing data, each of the section control means including a second means for storing the control program and the section timing data;
and a machine supervisory control means connected between the first storage means and each of the section control second storage means for loading the control program and the section timing data into the section control second storage means and for reading the current value of the section timing data from the section control section storage means at predetermined in-tervals and storing the current section timing data in the first storage means.
Preferably, the control means comprises a machine supervisory computer connected to the section control means, which comprise a plurality of individual section computers, one for each of the individual sections of the machine. The machine supervisory computer is also connected to an input/output device and the first storage means, which stores control programs for the machine supervisory computer and both control programs ~ .
and job histories for the individual section computers. The machine supervisory computer loads the second storage means of the individual section computers with the control programs and job histories for forming a particular glassware article.
Each individual section computer then generates the control signals required to actuate the forming means of the associated section. A section operator console is provided at each section to enablethe machine operator to change the timing data for any of the forming functions. The section operator console is connected to the individual section computer which reads the timing change and replaces the corresponding previous timing data. At predetermined intervals, the machine supervisory com-puter reads the current timing data from each of the individual section computers and stores this curren~t data in the first storage means. Thus, the current timing data for each individual section is always available for the next time that job is run or should there be a power failure which destroys the contents of the volatile memory in the individual section computer. In response to the restoration of power after a power failure, the machine supervisory computer automatically reloads the in-dividual section computers with the timing data from the first storage means.
The machine supervisory computer is also connected to a bottle reject control panel and a bottle reject station.
Through the control panel, the machine operator can designate bottles to be rejected by section and mold and number of machine cycles. The machine supervisory computer Lesponds to the con-trol panel generated information to generate control signals to the reject station when the machine reaches the corresponding position in the machine cycle.
78~
The present invention further provides a control sys-tem for a cyclically operated machine having first and second stations each of which are responsive to control signals to operate in regular cycles including like series of predetermined steps and in which corresponding steps for the first and second stations are offset in time with respect to each other compris-ing first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps;
a first and seeond control means individual respectively to eaeh of the first and second stations for generating the control signals for the steps performed by the respective first and seeond stations in aeeordanee with the eontrol program and the timing data, eaeh of the eontrol means ineluding a second means for storing the eontrol program and the timing data; and a maehine supervisory eontrol means connected between the first storage means and each of the second storage means for loading the eontrol program and the timing data into the second storage means.
The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of prior art and embodiments of the invention with referenee to the aecompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art, dedicated, discrete component electronic control system and associated individual seetion glassware forming maehine;
Fig. 2 is a bloek diagram of a prior art computer eontrolled individual seetion glassware forming machine;
Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of an individual seetion glassware forming machine and a control system therefor embodying the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the control 7~8 system and one of the individual sections of Fig. 3;
Figs. 5 through lO are simplified flow diagrams which are representative of a portion of the programs run by the master supervisory computer of Fig. 4; and Figs. 11 through 13 are simplified flow diagrams which are representative of a portion of the programs run by the in-dividual section computer of Fig. 4.
There is shown in Fig. l a prior art glassware forming machine and associated electronic control system which is more fully described in U.S. Patent No. 3,762,907. The forming machine includes a plurality of individual sections 11, numbered from one through N, which sections are identical. A mechanical drive 12 is representative of one or more such drives which are utilized to operate means (not shown) for forming molten gobs of glass, distributing the gobs to the individual sections and conveying the formed glassware away from the machine, all at predetermined synchroniz~d rates. The mechanical drive 12 is mechanically coupled to a timing pulse generator 13 which represents a pulse generator for generating one timing pulse for each degree of revolution of the drive shaft of the mechan-ical drive 12 and a reset pulse generator for generating one pulse for each revolution of the drive shaft of the mechanical drive.
The timing pulses and reset pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 13 are applied to a master control unit 14. The master control unit 14 includes a master counter (not shown) for counting the timing pulses to generate a count total representing the rotational position of the machine in the 360 machine cycle. The master control unit also includes a master synchronization circuit which is responsive to the reset pulses ,~
~7t~48 for resetting the master counter after 360 pulses have been counted representing a full cycle of the machine. The digital count total of the master counter is applied to a gating cir-cuit which generates selected count signals to a plurality of section firing order control switches. For example, in a six section machine, the gating board would be preset to generate selected count signals representing 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 to each section firing order control switch. Each section firing order control switch also receives the reset pulse which is generated at 360 and each switch is preset to respond to one of the selected count signals or the reset signal to gen-erate a reset counter signal to an associated individual control unit 15.
Each individual control unit 15 includes a sync board which is responsive to the reset counter signal generated by the associated section firing order control switch for genera-ting a section reset signal. A section counter counts the timing pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 13 and is reset by the section reset signal after every three hundred sixty pulses. The section counter generates a count total rep-resenting the rotational position of the individual section in the machine cycle, all but one of the section counter count totals being offset from the count total of the master counter.
Each individual section includes forty-eight thumbwheel switches which are connected in parallel to the output of the section counter. Each thumbwheel switch generates a gating signal when the section counter count total reaches the number to which that individual switch is set. The gating signal from each thumbwheel switch is applied to a function control board which responds by generating an output signal to actuate a solenoid ~h 78~8 winding for operating an associated valve in a valve block.
Thus, each individual section 11 has a cycle time equal to the cycle time for the machine but the individual section cycle times are equally distributed through the machine cycle. The timing and the order of the functions for each in-dividual section are set on forty-eight thumbwheel switches which are responsive to a count total accumulated by a section counter which is reset at the end of each individual section cycle by the master control unit. The master control unit re-sets the section counters at predetermined intervals to offset the individual section cycles with respect to one another.
There is shown in Fig. 2 a prior art glassware forming machine and associated electronic control system which is more fully explained in U.S. Patent No. 4,007,028. The forming machine includes a plurality of individual sections 16, numbered from one to N, which sections are identical. A mechanical drive 17 is representative of one or more such drives which are utilized to operate means (not shown) for forming gobs of molten glass, distributing the gobs to the individual sections and conveying the formed glassware away from the machine all at predetermined, synchronized rates. The mechanical drive 17 is mechancially coupled to a position transducer 18 for genera-ting an output signal representing the position of the mechani-cal drive and, therefore, the rotational position of the machine.
For example, the mechanical drive 17 and the position transducer 18 can be associated with the gob forming means or the gob dis-tributor (neither shown).
A computer 19 is programmed to generate control signals through an interface 21 to the individual sections to actuate solenoid operated valves in valve blocks (not shown). The com-,, 78~1~
puter 19 stores a program which determines the timing and theorder of performing the various functions in each individual section. The computer then compares the position transducer signals with the position value for the next function to be performed in the order for generating the proper control signal.
An operator control panel (not shown) is provided for displaying the values of each of the functions for each of the individual sections. The control panel also has switch means for changing any of the function values to a new value when desired.
Both of the prior art control systems described above utilize a master control or computer to determine the timing of the individual sections and the offset between the sections.
In Fig. 3, there is shown a block diagram of an individual section glassware forming machine and control therefor embodying the present invention. A machine supervisory computer 22 receives a train of timing pulses from a timing pulse generator 23 to establish the timing for the machine cycle.
The machine supervisory computer 22 is connected to a plurality of individual section computers 24, one through N, each of which is connected to an associated one of a plurality of individual sections 25, one through N, of the glassware form-ing machine. Initially, the machine supervisory computer 22 loads each individual section computer 24 with a control program and timing data for controlling the associated individual section. Thereafter, each individual section computer 24 gen-erates control signals in response to the control program and timing pulses from the timing pulse generator 23 to a value block (no-t shown) in the associated individual section 25 to control the glassware forming cycle. The machine supervisory computer 22 periodically receives current timing data from each ,i D7~
of the individual section computers 24 which data can be stored for use the next time that particular type of glassware is to be formed or in the event that one of the individual sections is shut down for any reason.
Fig. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the control system and one of the individual sections of Fig. 3. The timing pulse generator 23 generates a train of timing pulses to the machine supervisory computer (MSC) 22 and the individual section computer (ISC) 24. An input/output device 26 and a data storage device 27 are both connected to the machine supervisory computer 22 by a pair of bidirectional lines. The machine supervisory computer 22 and the individual section computer 24 typically can be LSI-ll computers, the input/output device 26 typically can be a LA36 DECwriter teleprinter and the data storage device typically can be a RXVll Floppy Disk Drive, all manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.
The timing pulse generator 23 generates a clock signal to the MSC 22 and the ISC 24 which signal provides a reference for timing the machine cycle and the sequence of steps to be performed by the ISC. Typically, machine timing is expressed in degrees and a machine cycle is 360 in length. Thus 360 clock pulses or some multiple thereof comprise one machine cycle.
The cycle for each individual section is also 360 but the cycles for all of the sections can be offset from the start of the machine cycle by a different number of degrees to compensate for the difference in gob delivery time to each section. The timing pulse generator also generates a reset signal after 360 of clock pulses which reset signal is utilized by the MSC and the ISC to define the end and beginning of successive machine cycles.
The MSC 22 is used to load the cuntrol programs and timing data into the ISC 24 from the data storage device 27.
An operator uses the I/O device 26 to select the particular timing data which is to be loaded into the ISC. It should be noted that each ISC has a separate set of timing data for the particular individual section which it controls.
The ISC 24 generates control signals to a valve block 28 through a section operator console discussed below. The valve block is connected to a plurality of glassware forming mechanisms 29 for actuating the forming mechanisms in a predeter-mined timed sequence of steps to form the articles of glassware.
The valves in the valve block 28 are actuated by solenoids (not shown) which are controlled by signals generated by the ISC
24 in accordance with the control programs and timing data which are currently stored in the ISC. The valve block 28 and the glassware forming mechanisms 29 together comprise the individual section 25.
There is also shown in Fig. 4 a blank sensor 31 which generates a signal upon the detection of a gob at the mold in an individual section. The blank sensor 31 includes a blank detector circuit (not shown) for generating the signal to the ISC 24 which signal is utilized to adjust the timing of that individual section to the presence of the gob rather than to a position related distribution time as was done in the prior art.
A section operator console (SOC) 32 is connected to the ISC 24 and the valve block 28 and is used by the operator to make adjustments to the mechanism timing. The actuation of a particular valve may be either advanced or retarded by the operator with the use of the SoC 32. The SOC 32 may also ~1~7~8 be used to vary the section offset value and the reject syn-chronization value as will be discussed. The SOC 32 can be provided with a display (not shown) which enables the operator to check the current timing value for a particular machine function.
The SOC 32 is also used to control the operating con-ditlon of the individual section. When the individual section is on, it is designated to be in the "run" condition and, when the section is off, it is designated to be in the "safe" con-dition. If the section is in the safe condition, the operatorcan switch to a manual mode wherein the solenoids of the valve block 28 can be individually controlled by a plurality of switches (not shown) which are provided in the SOC 32.
Although the SOC 32 is provided with start and stop controls, the SOC 32 is located on one side of the machine and is only easily accessible to the operator when the operator is on that side. A remote start and stop station 33 is provided and is typically mounted on the side opposite the corresponding SOC. Thus, the start and stop controls are easily accessible to the operator from both sides of the machine.
A bottle reject control panel 34 includes a plurality of switches (not shown) each of which corresponds to a particu-lar cavity of the mold in each individual section. If an opera-tor desires to reject a particular article of glassware, he actuates the corresponding switch on the panel 34. The MSC
22 periodically scans the panel 34 to see if any switches have been actuated. When the MSC 22 senses an actuated switch, the MSC will compare the reject synchronization value corresponding to the section of the rejected glassware with the current machine position. If these two values are equal, a reject control signal 3L~`r~7~8 will be supplied to a bottle reject station 35 such that the appropriate bottle(s) will be rejected.
As was previously discussed with respect to the valve timing, the operator can utilize the SOC 32 to adjust the reject synchronization value for the individual section such that a glassware article from a selected cavity of the mold is rejected when it arrives at the reject station 35-. The reject synchroni-zation value is stored in the ISC as a position in the machine cycle. At a predetermined interval, typically every one minute, the MSC reads the reject synchronization values from the ISC's and stores them. Each time there is a one degree change in machine position, the MSC compares the new machine position with the reject synchronization values and generates the reject signal when they correspond.
Communications between the ISC 24 and the MSC 22 and between the MSC 22 and the I/O device 25 can be achieved utili-zing model DLVll serial input/output interface boards (not shown).
Input and output control for the ISC 24 to the SOC 32 and the valve block 28 and for the MSC 22 to the control panel 34 and the reject station 35 can be provided by utilizing model DRVll parallel input/output interface boards (not shown). If a floppy disk drive is used as the data storage device 27, an RXVll floppy drive controller (not shown) can be used to control data trans-fers between the MSC and the floppy disk drive. The DLVll, DRVll and RXVll are all manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts.
As previously mentioned, the machine supervisory com-puter 22 and the individual section computer 24 can be LSI-11 computers. This particular type of computer features hard-ware interrupts. As will be discussed, other features of this ,,.~,~
~71~413 computer are an automatic power failure restart and user con-trol of external task scheduling.
There are shown in Figs. 5 through 9 simplified flow diagrams of programs utilized in the operation of the machine supervisory computer (MSC) 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the MSC
is connected to an input/output device 26 which can be a tele-printer having a keyboard input and a printer output and to a data storage device 27 which can be floppy disk drive. The storage device stores on floppy disks both system data, such as control programs, and job histories which include the timing data for forming each type of glassware article. The MSC 22 can be loaded with various "keyboard" programs from the data storage device 27 which programs allow the machine operator to install, change, list or delete a job history in the storage device or to list a directory of all job histories stored or to transfer a job history(s) from one floppy disk to another;
to set up the machine parameters for a new job; to load a job history into the ISC's from the storage device; to save an active job history ~y loading it from an ISC into the storage device;
to reload an ISC with a control program and timing data from any other ISC or with a test pattern; to display cavity rate and machine speed; and to display or change the number of cycles in which glassware articles are rejected.
The main program for the MSC 22 is shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 5. The program is initiated at a circle "START"
and immediately enters a decision point "KEYBOARD PROGRAM RE-QUEST" to check for any request to run a keyboard program that may have been entered by the machine operator. If there is such a request, the program branches at "YES" to a processing point. The processing point "EXECUTE REQUESTED KEYBOARD PROGRAM"
,~,, ~7848 represents a set of instructions directing the MSC to execute the requested program. The program then returns to the beginning of the main program. If there is no keyboard program request, the main program branches from the decision point at "NO" and returns to the beginning of the program. It should be noted that all of the keyboard programs run on the lowest priority and can be interrupted by any of the programs which are shown in Eigs. 6 through 10.
In addition to the keyboard programs initiated with the input/output device 26, the MSC 22 is also responsible for running other programs all of which have a higher priority than the keyboard programs. A clock interrupt program has the high-est priority and is shown in the flow diagram of Fig. 6. A
clock interrupt is generated each time a timing pulse is received by the MSC 22 from the timing pulse generator 23. If the MSC
is running a keyboard program when the clock interrupt is gen-erated, the keyboard program is interrupted and the clock in-terrupt is serviced before returning to the keyboard program.
The clock interrupt program is initiated at a circle labeled "CLOCK INTERRUPT" and then enters a processing point "INCREMENT
MACHINE POSITION COUNT" to update a count total representing the position of the machine in the machine cycle. Next, the program enters a processing point "CHECK STATUS OF REJECT CONTROL
SWITCHES BY SECTION" which includes instructions for checking the status of the reject control switches on the reject control panel 34 of Fig. 4 by section. The program enters a decision point "ANY REJECT SWITCHES" to determine if any bottles have been designated for rejection. If any of the reject control switches are actuated, the program branches at "YES" to a decision point "MACHINE = REJECT" wherein the MSC 22 compares ~i~
7~8 the current machine position count total with the reject syn-chronization value for each individua:L section. If they are equal, the program branches at "YES" to a processing point "RE-JECT DESIGNATED BOTTLE(S)" which includes instructions for gen-erating a reject signal to the bottle reject station 35 of Fig.
4 such that the designated bottle will be rejected. The clock interrupt program then returns to the main program at the point the main program was interrupted as is the case when the program branches at "NO" from the "ANY REJECT SWITCHES" decision point when no switches are actuated or when the program branches at "NO" from the "MACHINE = REJECT" decision point when the machine position count total is not equal to the reject synthronization value.
A reset interrupt program has the second highest priority and is shown in Fig. 7. Each time a reset pulse is generated by the timing pulse generator 23, the reset program is initiated at a circle "RESET INTERRUPT". The program enters a processing function "RESET MACHINE POSITION COUNT TOTAL TO
359" which includes instructions for resetting the machine posi-tion counter count total at the end of each machine cycle. Thereset interrupt program then returns to the main program at the point it was interrupted. The next timing pulse will then set the counter to zero and 359 more timing pulses are counted to complete the machine cycle. As the counter accumulates the last timing pulse, the reset pulse is again generated to correct any error which may have occurred in the machine position count total.
As was previously discussed, the operator can change the section timing data utilizing the SOC 32. Approximately every five minutes, the MSC 22 executes a store program shown ~78~8 in Fig. 8 to update the current section timing data for each individual section which is stored on a floppy disk in the data storage device 27. Thus, if the operator has changed the timing data for a section by advancing or retarding the actuation of a valve, that timing change will be stored in the data storage device 27 within no more than five minutes. The LSI-ll computer is provided with a control over external task scheduling. For example, the operator can schedule a program to run at an ab-solute time of the day, a delta time from a clock unit syn-chronization or every so many units of time, such as five min-utes. Thus, every five minutes, the store program is initiated at a circle "DATA UPDATE INTERRUPT" and enters a processing function "OBTAIN TIMING DATA FROM ISC AND PLACE IN DATA STORAGE
DEVICE". After the current timing data has been stored, the program returns to the main program.
There is shown in Fig. 9 a reject program that is executed by the MSC approximately every one minute to update the reject synchronization values. Thus, if the operator has changed any of these values to achieve a more accurate reject, the change will be stored by the MSC within no more than one minute. The reject program is initiated at a circle "REJECT
UPDATE INTERRUPT" and enters a processing function "OBTAIN REJECT
SYNCHRONIZATION VALUE FROM ISC AND STQRE" which includes in-structions for reading and storing the current reject synchroni-zation values for each ISC. The reject program then returns to the main program. The stored values are utilized in the comparison with the machine position performed at the decision point "MACHINE = REJECT" of Fig. 6.
If a power failure occurs, the volatile register con-tents of the MSC and the ISCs will be lost. There is shown in 1~7~48 Fig. 10 a flow diagram which indicates the steps taken by theMSC after a power failure recovery. If the MSC is a LSI-ll, it can be programmed to execute a restart program which is initiated at a circle "START". Next a process function "RESTORE
CONTROL PROGRAM AND JOB HISTORY TO EACH ISC" restores the ISC
memory with the control programs and timing data with which they were loaded before the power failure. There the restart program returns to the main program.
There are shown in Figs. 11 through 13 flow diagrams which are representative of the operation of an ISC. The main program is shown in Fig. 11. After the ISC memory has been restored by the MSC, the ISC performs several control program initialization tasks such as setting the machine position counter to 359.
The main program is initiated at a circle "START"
and enters a processing function "DISABLE INTERRUPTS AND PERFORM
INITIALIZATION TASKS". Next, the program enters a processing function "CHECK SOC FOR TIMING CHANGES AND STORE ANY NEW VALUES"
which includes instructions for checking the SOC 32 to determine if the operator has requested a change in the timing data, the section offset value or the reject synchronization value. Any requested changes are stored in the ISC memory to be sent through the MSC to the data storage device when the store program of Fig. 8 is executed by the MSC.
Next, the ISC main program enters a processing function ;
"ENABLE INTERRUPTS" which includes instructions to enable the ISC to respond to the timing and reset pulses generated by the timing pulse generator 23. The program then enters a decision point "COMMUNICATION REQUEST BY MSC". If the MSC has requested to either transmit data to or receive data from the ISC, the 3L iL~7~a~8 program branches at "YES" to a processing function "TRANSMIT
OR RECEIVE DATA" which includes the required instructions for communication between the MSC and the ISC. The program then returns to the processing function "CHECK 'OC FOR TIMING CHANGES
AND STORE ANY NEW VALUES" and continues to loop. If the MSC
has not requested communication, the program branches from the deeision point "COMMUNICATION REQUEST BY MSC" at "NO" to return to the proeessing funetion "CHECK SOC ...".
There is shown in Fig. 12 a flow diagram of the eloek interrupt program for the ISC. Eaeh time a timing pulse is reeeived from the timing pulse generator 23 and the main program has enabled the eloek and reset interrupts, the ISC initiates a cloek interrupt sinee the eloek interrupt program has a higher priority. The eloek interrupt program is initiated at a circle "CLOCK INTERRUPT" and enters a deeision point "IGNORE INTERRUPT"
whieh eheeks for a direetion to ignore the clock lnterrupt.
As will be diseussed below, a late oceurring reset pulse will require that at least one eloek interrupt be ignored sueh that the program branehes at "YES" and returns to the main program.
If the eloek interrupt is not to be ignored, the program branehes at "NO" and enters a proeessing function "INCREMENT MACHINE
POSITION COUNT" whieh ineludes instruetions for updating a eount total representing the position of the maehine in the machine eyele. As discussed above, this eount total is eonveniently zero to 359 representing 360 degrees in a maehine eycle. This eorresponds to one rotation of the prior art timing drum which utilized eams to operate the valves whieh aetuated the glassware forming means, the position of the eams being defined in degrees.
Next, the program enters a proeessing function "SUBTRACT SECTION
OFFSET" whieh includes instructions for subtracting the seetion 7~8 offset value, if any, from the machine position count total to obtain a count total representingthe instantaneous position of the individual section in the machine cycle which count total is stored.
Next, the program enters a processing function "CHECK
SOC STATUS CHANGE SWITCHES" which includes instructions for checking the status of the start and stop switches on the SOC
32 and the remote panel 33 to determine if the operator has requested a change in the status of the machine. The program enters a decision point "RUN" to check if the section is in the run condition forming glassware articles. If the section is not running, the program branches at "NO" to a decision point "START ACTUATED" to check whether either of the start switches has been actuated as determined by the "CHECK SOC STATUS CHANGE
SWITCHES" processing function. If neither start swi'tch has been actuated, the clock interrupt program branches at "NO"
to a decision point "REPEAT CLOCK INTERRUPT". As will be dis-cussed below, an early occurring reset pulse will require at least one extra clock interrupt such that the program branches at "YES" back to the "INCREMENT MACHINE POSITION COUNT" proces-sing function. If the clock interrupt is not to be repeated, the program branches at "NO" to return to the main program to await the next timing pulse. If either start switch has been actuated, the program branches at "YES" back to the "START"
circle of the main program to start the section.
If the section is running, the program branches from "RUN" at "YES" to a decision point "STOP ACTUATED" to check whether either of the stop switches has been actuated as deter-mined by the "CHECK SOC STATUS CHANGE SWITCHES" processing function. If either stop switch has been actuated, the program ~ . ~
7~
branches at "YES" to a processing function "STOP SECTION" which includes instructions for stopping the operation of the section.
The clock interrupt program then enters the "REPEAT CLOCK IN-TERRUPT" decision point. If neither stop switch has been actua-ted, the program branches at "NO" to a processing function "OBTAIN DEGREE VALUE OF NEXT FUNCTION FROM TABLE" which includes instructions for looking up the degree value of the next glass-ware forming function to be performed in a table wherein the forming functions are listed in the order they are to be per-formed in the forming cycle. The program then enters a decisionpoint "POSITION = DEGREE" wherein the instantaneous position count total for the section is compared with the degree value of the next function to be performed. If the values are not equal, the program branches at "NO" to enter the "REPEAT CLOCK
INTERRUPT" decision point. If the values are equal, the program branches at "YES" and enters a processing function "PERFORM
FUNCTION" which includes instructions for generating a control signal to the solenoid for actuating the proper valve in the valve block 28. Next, the program enters a processing function "POINT TO NEXT FUNCTION IN TABLE" which includes instructions for shifting to the next function listed in the table such that the degree value for this function is obtained as the program returns to the "OBTAIN DEGREE VALUE OF NEXT FUNCTION FROM TABLE"
processing function. Thus, the program will perform all functions having the same degree value before returning to the main program.
A reset interrupt program is shown in Fig. 13. Each time the timing pulse generator 23 generates a reset pulse and the main program has enabled the clock and reset interrupts, the ISC initiates a reset interrupt program which is initiated ~)78~-8 at a circle "RESET INTERRUPT". The program then enters a pro-cessing function "AUTOSYNCHRONIZATION" which includes in-structions for checking to see if the reset pulse occurred between 359 and 0 of the section cycle and, if it did so occur, no further action is required. If the reset pulse occurred within a range, for example, 357 through 2, instructions are executed to modify the count of the clock pulses. If the reset pul,se was early, on the next clock interrupt the clock interrupt program is cycled as many times as are required to increment the clock pulse count total to place the section in synchroniza-tion. If the reset pulse was late, the clock interrupt is ig-nored as many times as are required to maintain the clock pulse count total to place the section in synchronization. In any of these instances, the reset interrupt program then returns to the main program. If the reset pulse occurs outside of the ' range, an emergency stop is initiated. The reset interrupt ~ is lower than the clock interrupt in priority.
- There is also a line frequency interrupt program which is similar to the reset interrupt program of Fig. 13. An inter-rupt is generated by each cycle of the alternating current power source for the ISC. Every predetermined number of cycles, the line frequency interrupt program checks the clock pulse count total to determine whether it has been incremented since the last such check. If the clock pulse count total has not been incremented for a predetermined number of the checks, an emer-gency stop is initiated.
In summary, the above-described apparatus concerns a glassware forming machine having means for forming gobs of molten glass, a plurality of individual glassware forming sections, means for feeding the gobs of molten glass to the r~
78a~8 individual sections, glassware forming means in each of the individual sections for forming glassware articles from the gobs of molten glass in a series of predetermined forming steps in response to a plurality of control signals and control means for generating the control signals. The control means includes a means, such as a floppy disk, for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section;
a plurality of section control means, such as LSI-ll digital computers, individual to each of the individual sections for generating the control signals to the glassware forming means , in accordance with the control program and the timing data;
and a machine supervisory control means, such as a LSI-ll digital computer, connected between the storage means and each of the section control means for loading the control program and the section timing data into the section control means and for read-ing the current value of the section timing data from the section control means at predetermined intervals and storing the current section timing data in the storage means.
- 20 The glassware forming machine also includes a means for generating a train of timing pulses at a frequency propor-tional to the rate of forming the glassware such that a predeter-mined number of the timing pulses represents a glassware forming cycle of the machine. Each of the section control means is responsive to the timing pulse train for accumulating a count total of the timing pulses representing the instantaneous posi-tion of the individual section in the machine cycle, the section control means comparing the timing pulse count total with the timing data for the next forming step in the series and genera-ting one of the plurality of control signals when the timing 7~348 pulse count total and the timing data match. The glassware forming cycles of the individual sections are offset from one another. Each of the section control means subtracts a differ-ent predetermined offset count from the timing pulse count total to obtain the count representing the instantaneous position of the individual section in the machine cycle, the section control means comparing the instantaneous position count with the timing data of the next forming step in the series.
The disclosed apparatus also concerns a control system for a cyclically operated machine having at least first and second stations each of which are responsive to control signals to operate in regular cycles including like series of predeter-mined steps and in which corresponding steps for the first and second stations are offset in time with respect to each other.
The control means includes a means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps, a first and second control means individual respectively to each of the first and second stations for genera-ting the control signals for the steps performed by the res-pective first and second stations in accordance with the controlprogram and the timing data and a machine supervisory control means connected between the storage means and each of the first and second control means for loading the control program and the timing data into the first and second control means.
The storage means can be the data storage device 27 which has a pair of floppy disks. The system floppy disk stores programs for the machine supervisory control means or computer 22, the control program for the first and second control means or individual section computers and the current value of the timing data which is updated every five minutes. The job history ~ ., 7~48 floppy disk has stored on it the timing data for a plurality of jobs. A predetermined call out means or clocking means in the machine supervisory control means initiates the store pro-gram of Fig. 8 such that the current value of the timing data is read from the first and second control means and is loaded into the volatile memory of the machine supervisory control means as well as the system floppy disk. The current value f the timing data can also be loaded into the job history floppy disk to replace the timing data which was stored and was loaded into the first and second control means initially in response to a save signal which initiates a machine supervisory control means keyboard program.
The principle and mode of operation of the invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment.
However, it must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
.,
Claims (19)
1. In a glassware forming machine having means for forming gobs of molten glass, a plurality of individual glassware forming sections, means for feeding the gobs of molten glass to the individual sections, glassware forming means in each of the individual sections for forming glassware articles from the gobs of molten glass in a series of predetermined forming steps in response to a plurality of control signals, and control means for generating the control signals, the control means comprising:
first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and for storing section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section;
a plurality of section control means individual to each of the individual sections for generating the control sig-nals to the glassware forming means in accordance with said con-trol program and said section timing data, each of said section control means including a second means for storing said control program and said section timing data; and a machine supervisory control means connected between said first storage means and each of said section control second storage means for loading said control program and said section timing data into said section control second storage means and for reading the current value of said section timing data from said section control section storage means at predetermined in-tervals and storing said current section timing data in said first storage means.
first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined forming steps and for storing section timing data for the forming steps of each individual section;
a plurality of section control means individual to each of the individual sections for generating the control sig-nals to the glassware forming means in accordance with said con-trol program and said section timing data, each of said section control means including a second means for storing said control program and said section timing data; and a machine supervisory control means connected between said first storage means and each of said section control second storage means for loading said control program and said section timing data into said section control second storage means and for reading the current value of said section timing data from said section control section storage means at predetermined in-tervals and storing said current section timing data in said first storage means.
2. A control means according to claim 1 wherein said first storage means includes a floppy disk for storing said con-trol program and said section timing data.
3. A control means according to claim 1 wherein said machine supervisory control means and each of said section con-trol means are digital computers.
4. A control means according to claim 1 wherein each of said section control second storage means stores the current values of said section timing data for the individual glassware forming section being controlled by said section control means, said machine supervisory control means generates command signals to each of said section control means at said predetermined in-tervals, and each of said section control means generates said current section timing data to said machine supervisory control means in response to said command signals.
5. A control means according to claim 4 wherein said predetermined intervals are approximately five minutes apart.
6. A control means according to claim 1 including a power supply for generating power to at least one of said section control means and wherein said machine supervisory con-trol means is responsive to the restoration of power after a failure of said power supply for loading said control program and said current section timing data into said one section con-trol means second storage means.
7. A control means according to claim 1 wherein the glassware forming machine includes means for generating a train of timing pulses at a frequency proportional to the rate of form-ing the glassware such that a predetermined number of said timing pulses represents a glassware forming cycle of the machine and wherein each of said section control means is responsive to said timing pulse train for accumulating a count total of said timing pulses representing the instantaneous position of the individual section in the machine cycle, said section control means com-paring said timing pulse count total with the timing data for the next forming step in the series and generating one of the plurality of control signals when said timing pulse count total and the timing data correspond.
8. A control means according to claim 7 wherein the timing pulse generating means generates a reset pulse after gen-erating the predetermined number of timing pulses and wherein each of said section control means is responsive to said reset pulse for adjusting said timing pulse count total to synchronize said machine cycle with the generation of said reset pulse.
9. A control means according to claim 8 wherein each of said section control means is responsive to the generation of said reset pulse outside a predetermined range of said timing pulse count total for stopping the generation of the control signals.
10. A control means according to claim 8 wherein each of said section control means is responsive to the non-receipt of a predetermined number of said reset pulses for stopping the generation of the control signals.
11. A control means according to claim 7 including a source of alternating current power for the control means, wherein each of said section control means is responsive to the frequency of said power source for periodically checking said timing pulse count total and for stopping the generation of the control signals when said timing pulse count total has not changed for a predetermined number of said checks.
12. A control means according to claim 11 wherein the glassware forming cycles of the individual sections are offset from one another and wherein each of said section control means subtracts a different predetermined offset count from said timing pulse count total to obtain said count representing the instan-taneous position of the individual section in its glassware form-ing cycle, said section control means comparing said instan-taneous position count with the timing data of the next forming step in the series for generating one of the plurality of con-trol signals.
13. A control means according to claim 1 wherein each of said section control means includes means for changing the values of any of said section timing data.
14. A control system for a cyclically operated machine having first and second stations each of which are responsive to control signals to operate in regular cycles including like series of predetermined steps and in which corresponding steps for the first and second stations are offset in time with respect to each other comprising:
first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps;
a first and second control means individual respec-tively to each of the first and second stations for generating the control signals for the steps performed by the respective first and second stations in accordance with said control pro-gram and said timing data, each of said control means including a second means for storing said control program and said timing data; and a machine supervisory control means connected between said first storage means and each of said second storage means for loading said control program and said timing data into said second storage means.
first means for storing a control program defining the series of predetermined steps and for storing timing data for the steps;
a first and second control means individual respec-tively to each of the first and second stations for generating the control signals for the steps performed by the respective first and second stations in accordance with said control pro-gram and said timing data, each of said control means including a second means for storing said control program and said timing data; and a machine supervisory control means connected between said first storage means and each of said second storage means for loading said control program and said timing data into said second storage means.
15. A control system according to claim 14 including means for generating a predetermined call out signal wherein said first and second control means include means for changing the value of said timing data and wherein said machine super-visory control means is responsive to said predetermined call out signal for reading the current value of said timing data from one of said first and second control means second storage means.
16. A control system according to claim 15 wherein said predetermined call out signal generating means is a clock-ing means operating at a predetermined rate.
17. A control system according to claim 16 wherein said machine supervisory control means includes means for storing the called out current value of said timing data.
18. A control system according to claim 17 wherein said first storage means includes means for storing the called out current value of said timing data and said machine super-visory control means is responsive to said call out signal for loading the called out current value of said timing data into said first storage means.
19. A control system according to claim 17 including means for generating a save signal and wherein said machine supervisory control means is responsive to said save signal for replacing said timing data in said first storage means with the current value of said timing data.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US866,086 | 1977-12-30 | ||
US05/866,086 US4152134A (en) | 1977-12-30 | 1977-12-30 | Electronic control system for an individual section glassware forming machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA1107848A true CA1107848A (en) | 1981-08-25 |
Family
ID=25346884
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA317,402A Expired CA1107848A (en) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-12-05 | Electronic control system for an individual section glassware forming machine |
Country Status (22)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US4152134A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5946896B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU508823B2 (en) |
BE (1) | BE873229A (en) |
BR (1) | BR7808625A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1107848A (en) |
CH (1) | CH640491A5 (en) |
DE (1) | DE2856380C2 (en) |
EG (1) | EG13338A (en) |
ES (1) | ES476484A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2413333B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1603755A (en) |
GR (1) | GR71729B (en) |
HU (1) | HU181466B (en) |
IT (1) | IT1111051B (en) |
MX (1) | MX146559A (en) |
NL (1) | NL185245C (en) |
PH (1) | PH16633A (en) |
PT (1) | PT69010A (en) |
SE (1) | SE7813425L (en) |
SU (1) | SU1034601A3 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA786883B (en) |
Families Citing this family (42)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1603754A (en) * | 1978-01-10 | 1981-11-25 | Owens Illinois Inc | Concerning a cyclically operating container forming machine |
US4247317A (en) * | 1978-04-20 | 1981-01-27 | Ball Corporation | Glassware forming machine computer-ram controller system |
FR2427649B1 (en) * | 1978-05-31 | 1985-10-25 | Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Eng | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR INDUSTRIAL REPETITIVE PROCESSES |
US4463416A (en) * | 1979-08-06 | 1984-07-31 | Ball Corporation | Programmable automatic controller |
US4351663A (en) * | 1980-01-30 | 1982-09-28 | Ball Corporation | Glass container rejector |
US4332606A (en) * | 1980-10-27 | 1982-06-01 | Emhart Industries, Inc. | Ware identifying apparatus for glassware machines and the like |
US4375669A (en) * | 1980-11-05 | 1983-03-01 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Electronic control system for a glassware forming machine |
US4338116A (en) * | 1981-03-09 | 1982-07-06 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Apparatus and method for reducing mechanical dead times in the operation of a glassware forming machine |
US4369052A (en) * | 1981-03-19 | 1983-01-18 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Forming supervisory control means for glassware forming machines |
CA1192406A (en) * | 1981-03-30 | 1985-08-27 | Eustace H. Mumford | Electronic control glass forming machine |
US4457772A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1984-07-03 | Ball Corporation | Management control system for forming glassware |
US4368062A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-01-11 | Ball Corporation | Glassware forming speed control system |
US4382810A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1983-05-10 | Ball Corporation | Programmable speed controller |
US4478629A (en) * | 1981-07-08 | 1984-10-23 | Ball Corporation | Power failure detection system for a glassware forming machine |
US4362544A (en) * | 1981-07-24 | 1982-12-07 | Owens-Illinois, Inc. | Fluid control system for glassware forming machine |
US4456809A (en) * | 1982-03-25 | 1984-06-26 | Pertron Controls Corporation | Microprocessor-controlled controller for resistance welding machines |
US4431436A (en) * | 1982-07-21 | 1984-02-14 | Css International Corporation | Glassware rejection apparatus |
US4737907A (en) * | 1982-09-21 | 1988-04-12 | Xerox Corporation | Multiprocessor control synchronization and instruction downloading |
US4547211A (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1985-10-15 | Ball Corporation | Control of a glassware forming machine |
WO1984002994A1 (en) * | 1983-01-26 | 1984-08-02 | Emhart Ind | Programmable control system for glassware forming machines |
US4641269A (en) * | 1983-01-26 | 1987-02-03 | Emhart Industries, Inc. | Programmable control system for glassware forming machines |
US4529429A (en) * | 1983-05-06 | 1985-07-16 | Ball Corporation | Digital glass forming machine |
MX156950A (en) * | 1983-11-21 | 1988-10-17 | Vitro Tec Fideicomiso | IMPROVED SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GLASS ARTICLE FORMING MACHINES |
DE3342062C2 (en) * | 1983-11-22 | 1986-10-30 | Ruhrglas AG, 4300 Essen | Circuit arrangement for controlling a gob distributor of a glass processing machine |
US4736304A (en) * | 1986-04-07 | 1988-04-05 | Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. | Method and apparatus for operating one or more deposition systems |
US4762544A (en) * | 1987-01-02 | 1988-08-09 | Owens-Illinois Glass Container Inc. | Automated control of glass container manufacture |
US5279636A (en) * | 1992-10-28 | 1994-01-18 | Gte Products Corporation | Glass article inspection and rejection apparatus |
AU665468B2 (en) * | 1992-12-18 | 1996-01-04 | Emhart Glass S.A. | Glass container forming machine control |
US5624473A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1997-04-29 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Automated controller for glassware manufacture with electronically labeled manual mode panel switches |
US5580366A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1996-12-03 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Automated glassware manufacture controller |
JP3317156B2 (en) * | 1996-09-18 | 2002-08-26 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Numerical control device with remote PLC device |
US6212909B1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2001-04-10 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Synchronization of individual section machine operation to gob feed in a glassware forming system |
US6269662B1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2001-08-07 | Emhart Glass S.A. | Pneumatic machine control unit for an I.S. machine |
US6822970B1 (en) * | 2000-01-31 | 2004-11-23 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Glassware forming system with star network communication configuration |
US6813523B2 (en) * | 2001-08-23 | 2004-11-02 | George Mauro | Distributed process control |
ITTO20020023A1 (en) * | 2002-01-08 | 2003-07-08 | Bottero Spa | TIMING CONTROL SYSTEM IN A LINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CABLE GLASS ITEMS. |
US7017373B2 (en) * | 2002-09-03 | 2006-03-28 | Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. | Glassware forming machine control system |
US7085884B2 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2006-08-01 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System and method for storing operational data of a storage automation device to a removable nonvolatile memory component |
US7290406B2 (en) * | 2004-10-01 | 2007-11-06 | Emhart Glass Sa | I.S. machine |
CN100449441C (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2009-01-07 | 山东三金玻璃机械股份有限公司 | Integrated intelligence control system of bottle making machine production line |
US9523980B2 (en) * | 2011-03-03 | 2016-12-20 | Emhart Glass S.A. | Closed loop cyclic timing optimizer control system and method |
DE102015007695B4 (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2020-06-10 | Heye lnternational GmbH | Arrangement for representing the vacuum operation in the molding process of a glass molding machine |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3377623A (en) * | 1965-09-29 | 1968-04-09 | Foxboro Co | Process backup system |
US3762907A (en) * | 1971-02-22 | 1973-10-02 | Ball Corp | Glass forming machine having an automatic control system |
US3923147A (en) * | 1971-02-22 | 1975-12-02 | Ball Corp | Synchronized stacking system |
GB1455574A (en) * | 1973-03-13 | 1976-11-17 | Emhart Uk Ltd | Control systems for cyclic processes |
US3877915A (en) * | 1973-06-29 | 1975-04-15 | Emhart Corp | Control system for glassware molding machine and method of molding glass |
US3905793A (en) * | 1974-10-21 | 1975-09-16 | Emhart Corp | Computer control for glassware forming machine |
US4007028A (en) * | 1975-09-30 | 1977-02-08 | Reliance Electric Company | Electronically controlled glassware-forming machine |
AU505973B2 (en) * | 1977-01-24 | 1979-12-06 | Emhart Industries, Inc | Control of glass forming machine |
MX145266A (en) * | 1977-06-06 | 1982-01-19 | Fabricacion De Maquinas Sa | IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR GLASS AND THERMOPLASTIC ARTICLE FORMING MACHINES |
-
1977
- 1977-12-30 US US05/866,086 patent/US4152134A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1978
- 1978-05-09 GB GB18365/78A patent/GB1603755A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-05 CA CA317,402A patent/CA1107848A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-07 ZA ZA786883A patent/ZA786883B/en unknown
- 1978-12-12 NL NLAANVRAGE7812068,A patent/NL185245C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1978-12-20 GR GR57951A patent/GR71729B/el unknown
- 1978-12-27 PH PH21992A patent/PH16633A/en unknown
- 1978-12-27 JP JP53160279A patent/JPS5946896B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-27 DE DE2856380A patent/DE2856380C2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-29 ES ES476484A patent/ES476484A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-29 SE SE7813425A patent/SE7813425L/en unknown
- 1978-12-29 BR BR7808625A patent/BR7808625A/en unknown
- 1978-12-29 HU HU78OE270A patent/HU181466B/en unknown
- 1978-12-29 FR FR7836842A patent/FR2413333B1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-29 BE BE192694A patent/BE873229A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1978-12-29 IT IT52490/78A patent/IT1111051B/en active
- 1978-12-29 AU AU43006/78A patent/AU508823B2/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-29 PT PT69010A patent/PT69010A/en unknown
- 1978-12-30 EG EG752/78A patent/EG13338A/en active
-
1979
- 1979-01-02 SU SU792707552A patent/SU1034601A3/en active
- 1979-01-03 CH CH1979A patent/CH640491A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1982
- 1982-12-14 MX MX175990A patent/MX146559A/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US4152134A (en) | 1979-05-01 |
NL185245C (en) | 1990-02-16 |
ZA786883B (en) | 1980-08-27 |
HU181466B (en) | 1983-07-28 |
AU4300678A (en) | 1979-07-19 |
BR7808625A (en) | 1979-07-10 |
NL7812068A (en) | 1979-07-03 |
NL185245B (en) | 1989-09-18 |
SU1034601A3 (en) | 1983-08-07 |
PT69010A (en) | 1979-01-01 |
SE7813425L (en) | 1979-07-01 |
JPS5496513A (en) | 1979-07-31 |
IT1111051B (en) | 1986-01-13 |
FR2413333B1 (en) | 1987-12-24 |
MX146559A (en) | 1982-07-07 |
DE2856380C2 (en) | 1983-01-05 |
BE873229A (en) | 1979-04-17 |
GR71729B (en) | 1983-06-22 |
EG13338A (en) | 1981-06-30 |
PH16633A (en) | 1983-12-05 |
GB1603755A (en) | 1981-11-25 |
IT7852490A0 (en) | 1978-12-29 |
FR2413333A1 (en) | 1979-07-27 |
AU508823B2 (en) | 1980-04-03 |
JPS5946896B2 (en) | 1984-11-15 |
CH640491A5 (en) | 1984-01-13 |
DE2856380A1 (en) | 1979-07-05 |
ES476484A1 (en) | 1979-11-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA1107848A (en) | Electronic control system for an individual section glassware forming machine | |
US4369052A (en) | Forming supervisory control means for glassware forming machines | |
US4685947A (en) | Glassware forming apparatus with distributed control and method of operation | |
US5125499A (en) | Article transfer mechanism | |
CA1209677A (en) | Electronic control system in a glassware forming machine | |
CA1038479A (en) | Programmable controller for glassware forming and other cyclic processes | |
US4641269A (en) | Programmable control system for glassware forming machines | |
US4615723A (en) | Intelligent controller for predicting and automatically compensating for variations in cycle time, in machines for forming articles of glass or other materials | |
EP0004905A1 (en) | Glassware forming machine computer-RAM controller system | |
US5445662A (en) | Glass container forming machine with a controller for controlling controllers | |
EP0641467A1 (en) | Electronic controller for a glassware forming machine | |
CA1211822A (en) | Power failure detection system for a glassware forming machine | |
EP0100239B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of gobs to a section of a glassware forming machine | |
US4375669A (en) | Electronic control system for a glassware forming machine | |
US4145204A (en) | Timing pulse generator for a glassware forming machine | |
US4382810A (en) | Programmable speed controller | |
EP0117075B1 (en) | Programmable control system for glassware forming machines | |
CA1125516A (en) | Timing value dwell reversal protection for glassware forming machine electronic controls | |
EP0425114A1 (en) | Article transfer mechanism | |
US4145205A (en) | Timing pulse generator for a glassware forming machine | |
WO1986004432A1 (en) | Redundant control system for automatic forming machine | |
JPS6021927B2 (en) | Timing value dwell inversion for electronic control of glassware forming machines. protection | |
GB1604328A (en) | Automatic stop routine for a glassware forming machine | |
DD142035A5 (en) | ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A SPECIFIC SECTION OF A GLASS FORMING MACHINE |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
MKEX | Expiry |